Abstract
The European Union is in flux. The economic and financial crisis and the EU's response have dominated the headlines over the past months, seemingly setting aside all other matters in European affairs. But from time to time we must take a step back from the noise and brinkmanship of the daily efforts to overcome the crisis and ponder the long term challenges facing Europe and the impact they will have on our common institutional framework.
Indeed, the demographic changes that will affect the continent in the coming decades have not disappeared and will become more pressing the later we deal with them. European countries have developed the most comprehensive welfare states in the world, but the population pyramid on which they depend will no longer exist in the future. These changes will require a fundamental rethink of our social systems. With an ageing population, current assumptions about transfers between and within generations will no longer hold true, an issue that goes beyond wealth distribution and touches upon the role we reserve for the elderly and perspectives for the young.
These alterations to the basic societal structure of the EU will need to be reflected in its institutions. The democratic deficit has been a common worry to everyone from federalists to eurosceptics over the past 30 years. It is a problem that will only grow as economic integration is an answer to the economic and financial crisis and needs the transfer of more powers to Brussels. This deficit affects all common institutions and leads to voter disaffection and cynicism. New mechanisms must be found for political participation, and the increasing use of the internet in the political process can be a great tool in the creation of a common European demos. The European public must be part of the discussion about the kind of Union we want in the future, and options such as an elected President of the Commission, a figure who could be merged with the President of the Council, transnational lists and a stronger role for national parliaments in the European legislative process must be on the table.
One of the bigger questions is whether we are heading towards a Union of multiple speeds. In many ways we are already there. Schengen and the Euro itself are examples of smaller groups of countries cooperating closer together on specific policies. However, we need to carefully balance these smaller groupings in a way that doesn't eliminate the greater common purpose. The same balance must be struck regarding the countries that seem to have a more equivocal disposition towards membership itself.
Throughout this process we must not let ourselves be overwhelmed by the difficulty of making the Union work and keep track of its achievements. Among other things, the EU is the world's largest economy, has more Fortune 500 companies than the US and China combined and is leader not just in green technologies, but in their implementation in a common set of international, binding and forward-looking rules which will allow us to face common global challenges.
The EU has never followed a clear line. Its innovative nature has forced it to go down a winding, but ultimately fruitful road. To repeat an oft-quoted adage over the last few years, never let a crisis go to waste. We should take advantage of the uncertainty the Union is struggling through to build a better future. As difficult as the situation might seem, I believe these trials and tribulations will ultimately make the institutions, and therefore the Union, more mature and developed. The mere fact that a discussion is taking place throughout the continent concerning the EU's role in leaving the crisis behind is a sure sign of its increasing political relevance. The centre-right's values of freedom, human rights, solidarity, subsidiarity and equality have been pillars of our common institutions since their creation, and they should also have a fundamental role when we discuss their renewal. Like all human endeavours, our common institutions can be improved, but we will not fix them by getting rid of them. Strong leadership and patience will be required, for the road ahead is longer than the considerably stretch of road behind. We hope the ideas in this issue will be a helpful part of this work in progress.
To that end, this month we are proud to introduce a new section entitled Debate Corner. While the European View remains above all an academic publication, we feel that the discussion could be enriched by introducing a more direct political perspective. The Debate Corner will therefore consist of a short Q&A with European politicians who are leading the discussion in their respective fields and personally shaping European policy.
I wish you an enjoyable and inspiring read!